New York's highest court heard arguments today in a pair of cases that could change the marriage landscape, The New York Times reported.
The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is representing both sets of plaintiffs. One case challenges a 2007 policy that extended health benefits to the same-sex partners of state and local government employees who married out of state.
The other case seeks to overturn a similar administrative order, issued in 2006 by Andrew J. Spano, the Westchester County executive, directing county officials to recognize same-sex unions performed elsewhere.
ADF has called both orders illegal and unconstitutional.
"It is not the right of state and county executives to redefine marriage for all New Yorkers," said Austin Nimocks, senior legal counsel for ADF.
Last year, Gov. David Paterson issuing an executive order to extend state recognition to same-sex couples who were married elsewhere. That order is being challenged in a separate court case.
Legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in New York has passed the Assembly but has not come up for a vote in the Senate.
— Roger Greer
